Why Unconventional Training?

After a long weekend of learning new movements with various implements, the Chief Officer of Fitness for the Onnit Academy challenged the new set of trainers to write about what drew them to Unconventional Training. That is when the idea of creating my own website/blog began to grow. In my Biography page, I talk about how I became introduced to this movement of Unconventional Training. Here, I want to talk about why choose Unconventional Training.

First, what is Unconventional Training?

According to the Onnit Academy Website, Unconventional Training is defined as "a unique new form of fitness methodology that focuses on functional strength, conditioning, and agility using the most efficient means and tools possible." What this means to me is doing workouts that are beneficial to your everyday life. While it is nice to be able to bench press 300 lbs, the actual movement of pressing 300 pounds is limited for very specific actions. While Unconventional Training can use the same implements as the bench press (the barbell), there are different uses for the same implement. Unconventional Training has become more common through the kettlebell. Universities and high schools are now starting to place kettlebells in their weight rooms, along with the traditional weightlifting setup. Unconventional Training is more than kettlebells though. Other implements include (but are not limited to) steel maces, steel clubs, sandbags, pull up bars, jump ropes, suspension rings, battle ropes, and body weight movements, including yoga.

But just because you are using a steel mace, doesn't mean that you are doing an Unconventional workout (although you more than likely will be). It is the type of workout that deems it "Unconventional." Another phrase that conveys the meaning of Unconventional Training is "functional training."

As mentioned before, being able to bench press 300 pounds is impressive, how functional is that movement? The bench press is an isolated exercise that works a very specific set of muscles. Through Unconventional Training workouts, I develop strength to do things for my everyday activities: placing a box up on a shelf in the closet, picking up a child multiples times a day, moving objects in multiple planes of movement, and even grip work (holding grocery bags). These workouts are functional workouts, designed to increase your fitness for everyday activities.

One of the biggest factors in Unconventional Training is time. We live very busy lives, with many commitments to attend to, including our jobs, hobbies, our friends or our families. Many use these commitments to claim they don't have time to go to the gym to workout. Unconventional Training is the fix for this. With kettlebells and steel maces, you only need enough space for a yoga mat. Time saved going to the gym right there. A good hard workout that can build muscles and burn fat can take anywhere between 15-45 minutes.

I like this picture because it epitomizes the space needed for unconventional training. I had 4 people in my garage doing a high intensity work out, and all they needed was the space on their yoga mat. For years, if I had enough space for a yoga mat… — I like this picture because it epitomizes the space needed for unconventional training. I had 4 people in my garage doing a high intensity work out, and all they needed was the space on their yoga mat. For years, if I had enough space for a yoga mat, I had enough space to get in a hard, fat burning, and lean muscle building workout in.